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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2009-10-12 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD OCTOBER 12, 2009 Meeting was called to order at 8:07 p.m. Present: Tom Robinson, James McCann, Terry Godfroid-Marecki, John Pastor, Joe Laura, Brian Meakin and Laura Toy. Absent: None. Elected and appointed officials present: Mayor Jack Kirksey; Karen Kapchonick, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation; Don Knapp, City Attorney; Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Mark Taormina, City Planner; Evelyn Goudreau, Administrative Assistant, Community Resources; Maureen Cosgrove, Assistant City Clerk. President Toy announced a Public Hearing to be held in the Auditorium of Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, MI for the following items: Monday, October 26, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Petition 2009-08-01-01 submitted by Masoud Shango, requesting to rezone property located on the south side of Schoolcraft Road, east of Merriman (13820-13840 Merriman Road), in the Northwest '/4 of Section 26 from OS to C-2 (Office Services to General Business). Petition 2009-08-06-03 submitted by the City Planning Commission pursuant to Council Resolution #338-09 and Section 23.01(a) of Zoning Ordinance No. 543, as amended, proposing to amend Section 3.08 of Article III of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance so as to prohibit any uses that are contrary to federal, state or local laws or ordinances. President Toy announced new data on items #4 and #11. Pastor announced his 4th annual coat, hat and food drive on Friday, October 30, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Knights of Columbus. This is the first time the Jaycees will be co-sponsoring this event with him. Former Red Wing John Ogrodnick will be there to sign autographs for those who bring coats, hats or gloves. Laura wished a Happy Columbus Day to all the Italian American's, and those who want to be. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: Ben Tiseo, 18634 Doris, announced that he will be celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary on October 20, 2009. He said it was love at first sight and has never 2 changed. He is hoping that this announcement will get him out of buying his wife an expensive present. Mayor Jack Kirksey said that in reference to his wife's heritage, her dad was Irish and her mother was Italian. They celebrate St. Patrick's Day and St. Columbus Day with equal vigor. He announced that the Livonia Police Department has received a grant, from the Federal Government in the amount of $231,000.00 which came from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to improve safety in schools. This is effective immediately and will help the Livonia Public Schools and the Clarenceville School District. The money will be used to improve school security systems including locks, lighting, fencing, closed circuit surveillance and other equipment to deter crime. Livonia Public Schools have roughly $172,000.00 of that money marked for them, and the Clarenceville District has almost $59,000.00. This is still being implemented and the details are being worked out. There has to be some participation by the schools as well. Police Captain Mark LaBerge was the individual who put in and prepared the grant applications. Mayor Kirksey is very pleased to see this successful outcome and wanted to share it with Council this evening. NEW BUSINESS: 1. NOTIFICATION TO INCLUDE WAYNE COUNTY ZOOLOGICAL AUTHORITY MILLAGE IN 2009 WINTER TAX LEVY: Office of the City Clerk, re: as forwarded by the Wayne County Zoological Authority. Maureen Cosgrove, Assistant City Clerk, said that this is something they typically get every year from the Wayne County Zoological Authority. This is a receive and file item. DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT 2. REQUEST FOR RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF ADDITIONAL DIRECTORS AND ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC HEARING DATE: Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Office of the Mayor, re: in connection with a request from Madonna University for the EDC to amend the Project Plan and issue a series of revenue refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding all of the outstanding 2007 Bonds and paying certain costs related thereto for construction of a new Science and Media Building on their campus located on the northwest corner of Schoolcraft and Levan Roads. (CR 592-07) Tom Colis, Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, Legal Council for the EDC, said in 2007 the Economic Development Cooperation (EDC) issued bonds on behalf of Madonna University for $20,000,000.00. The majority 3 of those proceeds were used to construct the Science and Media Building which just opened this fall. Those bonds were issued as variable rate bonds, and they were secure by a letter of credit by R.B.S. Citizens. At the time, they were `AA-' rated. They have since been downgraded, along with a number of other banks as part of the economic situations we are dealing with — down to an `A-' rating, which has caused the interest rates on the bonds to increase from approximately .5% to 2'/2% - a 200 basis points difference. What Madonna University would like to do is refund those bonds and put two (2) other banks in place. The proposal is to bring First American Bank out of Chicago, as the letter of credit bank and also have another letter of credit on top of that from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. They will refund the 2007 bonds, and pay the cost associated with those bonds, and issue new bonds in replacement. It's kind of the same process of going through the EDC, the same steps. The first step is to appoint two additional Directors for this particular project. The EDC has met and basically authorized proceeding with the project. The next step would be to come to Council for the two (2) additional Directors. They are recommending the same directors that served on the 2007 project - Marshall Kleven and Mara Bloink — to serve for this particular project. This authorizes a public hearing which is required pursuant to federal tax laws and state statue. He would be happy to answer any questions. Godfroid-Marecki wanted to clarify that the City of Livonia has nothing to do with this. She wants to be sure no one thinks the City is going to raise taxes or anything. Colis said that she is absolutely right. He said the City is really the conduit for how Madonna University, which is a 501-C3 corporation, can get the benefit of taxes and bonds. The City is not liable. The bond holders look strictly to the banks in this regard, and the banks look strictly to Madonna University. A governmental entity is needed to issue taxes and bonds. The tax code provides for this and the State laws provide for the City through the Economic Development Corporation to allow Madonna University to access the taxes and bond market. Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. AWARD OF BID: Department of Community Resources, re: to purchase equipment to upgrade the Cable TV Production Truck from funds budgeted in the 2008-2009 Cable budget. Evelyn Goudreau, Administrative Assistant, Community Resources, requested authorization to purchase equipment to upgrade the remote 4 production truck for Livonia Television, which is the local municipal cable channel. The cameras on the truck are beginning to fail. They are at least ten (10) years old and obsolete. Parts can no longer be purchased to repair them. They are switching out some other cameras from upstairs, but they need to buy one (1) new camera and a new switcher to convert the production truck to digital. This is still in analogue mode. In order to use the cameras that we currently have, they need to be switched to digital. This will cost $68,972.00. No General Funds would be used. Cable is entirely funded by franchise fees. President Toy asked if this was the last piece of equipment they need to upgrade to digital. Goudreau answered yes. Laura offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 4. REQUEST TO APPROVE REVISED LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIVONIA AND MOUTAFIS, INC. FOR THE WHISPERING WILLOWS GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE RESTAURANT: Department of Parks & Recreation, re: for the period beginning June 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2010, with three (3) successive options to renew the lease for an additional period of five (5) years each. Karen Kapchonick, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, said the Department of Parks and Recreation, with the concurrence of the Finance and Law Department, recommends that Moutafis, Inc., West Bloomfield, MI, continues to manage the Whispering Willows Golf Course Clubhouse Restaurant, with the terms of the revised lease. Parks and Recreation have been working with Nick and Angie Moutafis for over 25 years during the time they have had the Whispering Willows Clubhouse. They look forward to working with them as they begin the new Clubhouse opening in May of 2010. Nick Moutafis, wanted to thank Council very much for trusting him for so many years. He said, "I love you". Robert Jenkins, representing Mr. Moutafis, was present to state that Mr. Moutafis' operation has been a class operation and a credit to the City the way he has operated the restaurant over the many years. He is a classy person. For example, he still had some time left on his lease, and he agreed to terminate it, even though he knows that nothing is certain. He agreed the current building could be demolished even though he had almost a year left on his lease. He is already looking for equipment and so 5 forth for the new restaurant, even though he knows there are no guarantees. He thanked Council very much. Meakin said that he was in the restaurant recently and Nick had his son, who was very young when he started the business, and is now a grown man working with the family business. Nick has done a great job working the grill. He will be happy to offer the resolution. McCann asked if the clubhouse was going to be open year round since the expansion, or will it be seasonal with the golf course. Jenkins said he didn't know at this point. Obviously, to be open year round requires business, and he plans to shoot for that. Moutafis said that he would like to work all year round, if it works for all of us. He has already discussed with the Parks and Recreation to have different locks and different doors. McCann said one of his concerns is that he doesn't know how much exploration there has been into the aspect of the lease. He stated that if he closes the shop in November, there is snow plowing, there are utilities that need to be maintained, and the parking lot lights have to be turned on. He asked if there were any additional conditions for year round. Moutafis said that he has already discussed that in the lease. Knapp said that there are contingencies in the lease for snow removal during the winter months. All the concerns have been satisfied. Toy said that Nick has the best hotdogs in town, or some of the best hot dogs in town — especially on a nice hot day. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 5. REQUEST TO APPROVE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LIVONIA RETIREE HEALTH AND DISABILITY BENEFITS PLAN AND TRUST (VEBA) ORDINANCE: Civil Service Department, re: which incorporates language regarding participant contributions and provides non-union employees a one-time irrevocable election to participate in or opt out of the Plan as required by Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501(c)(9). 6 Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda. He asked that Civil Service Department make an appearance at the next Regular Meeting. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 6. REQUEST TO EXTEND CONTRACT: Public Service Division, re: with Branch Tree Service, Inc. for the 2010 Municipal Tree Trimming Program at the original 2004 unit prices bid. (CR 492-08) Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Service, said the department is requesting Council's consideration for an extension of the tree trimming contract with Branch Tree Service, 24195 Mound Road, Warren, MI 48091. Branch Tree supplies the service for our Municipal trimming program, which provides trimming for the City's right-of-way trees. This program actually promotes the health of our tree population, and it provides for pedestrian and vehicle safety as well. Additionally, Branch Tree is utilized for the City's regular tree maintenance services, that any citizen concerns might come in on, and they are there for tree emergencies as well, which may be down trees or trees that may have been damaged in a storm. They have provided the City with excellent service in the past. They have been very reliable and very responsive, which was evident last year when a small tornado came through the City of Livonia. Branch was right there to assist with the clean up from that event. In the interest of insuring this work for the coming year, Branch is offering to extend their 2004 pricing, but actually reducing it 11%. Laura offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. He thanked the Department and Branch Tree Service, an excellent organization, for working so hard. Meakin said there were some companies taking down four (4) trees in the median at Five Mile. These trees didn't seem dead. They still had leaves on them, and they were growing normally. He wants to know what the reason was for cutting them down. They were cut from the root and taken away. Wilson didn't know what specific trees they were. He said that part of the City's median is County right-of-way. This could have been a contract with the County. He will check with the Parks and Forestry Supervisor to see what was involved. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 7 7. REQUEST TO ACCEPT PROPOSALS FOR CONTRACTED SNOW REMOVAL SERVICE FOR MAJOR STORMS: Public Service Division, re: to assist in plowing City streets for the 2009-2010 season. Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Service, said the Public Service Division solicited quotations for contracted assistance for the Citywide plowing events. The request was sent to 57 companies with the City's need for snow equipment and for operators to assist with these snow storms. They received proposal's from three (3) companies, which include Stante Excavating, 48400 West Road, Wixom, MI 48398, Nagle Paving Company, 39525 W. 13 Mile Rd., Ste. 300, Novi, MI 48377 and Tony Angelo Cement Construction Company, 46850 Grand River Ave., Novi, MI 48374. The City has used two (2) of these companies in the past - Stante Excavating (formerly B&V Construction, Inc.) and Nagle Paving. They are requesting authorization to be able to utilize all three (3) of these companies in order to address major storms. Godfroid-Marecki asked if 57 requests were sent out to do this job why did the City only receive three (3) bids. Wilson said that part of it is that companies will lay off their work force during the winter months, and other companies will move to other areas to seek work. This has been a long standing issue as far as attracting contractors for this work. Godfroid-Marecki asked if this was pretty expensive to do this work. Wilson answered yes — both the equipment as well as retaining a work force on call. Robinson asked that given the open nature of the snow plowing service for next year, is this an item that the City should hold on or pause on as the City finalizes the budget and maybe tie these together. Wilson answered that this request is a standard request that is brought to Council every year. As far as the details of the amount of equipment and operators and that sort of thing, that is something that is worked out with these companies as winter approaches. Robinson asked if it would be reasonable to say the level of service the City has received in the past will remain unchanged through the next year as far as the standards of what the City is expecting. Wilson answered these are services that the City provides contracted graders for for part of the City that we can utilize that equipment in. We intend to utilize the same equipment. 8 Robinson asked again if the City could expect the same level of service as they traditionally get. Wilson answered that his understanding is that more of these details will be brought forth and shared with Council tomorrow. This evening is just to lock in these companies for their services for the coming year. Robinson said he agrees with most of what Wilson is saying, but as the City lock's in a company, they are talking about a financial amount. He said that if he gets one service for one amount, and another service for another amount, that amount has not yet been determined yet with the budget. He feels they are maybe skipping ahead. This is a subset of next year's budget, and as they debate whether or not they can provide snow removal services at the same level of expectations as in the past, he feels that he and others would like to be sure that they receive the same level of service as they received traditionally. He asked again if they are doing that with this approval. Mayor Kirksey answered that he thinks Brian has come up here for a standard allocation to lock in road graders which are essential to the plowing of the streets. They can cover so much more territory than the equipment the City has. The amount depends on how the routes are done and the volume. The amount of actual time the City has to pay for these machines is determined by standard business plans each year, which is totally dependent on the weather, the amount of snow, moisture content, whether the wind is blowing or isn't blowing and the temperature at those given times. It is essential that we have that equipment regardless of what plan is approved for the plowing. What may set a greater comfort for Councilman Robinson is that there is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow evening, where plans to date will be shared with Council, which is one of the purposes of the meeting. This particular item regardless of the amount of plowing, or whether or not the plowing is done, is an essential item brought before Council. The questions beyond that Mr. Wilson is not here to answer at this time. Robinson agrees that they are looking forward to discussing some of the changes in the budget, and of course some of the expectations of services that will be provided with the budget that is approved. A question that he has been trying to pry out of the Administration, as they talk about snow plow removal, is that they need to sustain the same service that the City has traditionally received, and if this is efficient, all he wants to hear is "yes", services will continue to be maintained as the citizens expect. He understands that there will be more discussion on this tomorrow, and finally at the Regular Meeting, but he rustles a little with the thinking that they are not connected. He thinks they are directly connected. His 9 question is If this is approved tonight, can they expect the same level of service the City traditionally receives. If they are not able to answer that question, he rustles with approving with an amount. Those are his thoughts. If they don't answer that question, he would like to put this on the Regular Agenda. McCann said that he thinks the issue Mr. Robinson is talking about is one the Administration is going to talk to Council about regarding the standard of parameters when the plows will begin to work. What he is reading and he said the mayor can correct him if he is wrong, is a request to authorize the City to lease equipment from three (3) different companies. He also wanted to compliment Wilson He said that he noticed the prices have come down. He thinks that whether the City uses these graders for hundreds of hours, or just on the weekends, is irreverent to the contract or bid they are authorizing, which is to allow the City to contract with these companies to use their equipment and/or services. It doesn't state if the City will be using the equipment for a number of hours, its just that the equipment is available to be there for the City. He asked the Mayor if he was correct. Mayor Kirksey said that is correct. If Mr. Robinson will rest better, it is certainly very appropriate to put this item on the Non Consent Agenda. He will have the information; it will be shared with him tomorrow evening. Councilman McCann is exactly on target. This is what he was trying to explain, but perhaps he was not articulate enough. To try to tie the approval of contracting these essential services, for whatever the plan is, and the plan is certainly no deviation from what currently has been in place in previous seasons. Trying to tie the two together is, in his mind, a bit of a stretch. If it creates a better way to make decisions, he certainly has no problem with this item going on Regular verses Consent. This way he will have additional information before him, and he can come to a final decision when this is on a Regular voting meeting. Godfroid-Marecki would like to make the same point. This information will be received tomorrow with the budget. Council is not voting on this until October 21St. She will offer an approving on the Regular. Robinson said that he already had an approving for the Regular. Pastor said that he was going to offer the approving on Regular. He would even go as far as putting it on Consent, and if Council was unhappy with the information they could always pull it off. McCann said that it didn't matter if it is on the Consent or Regular. No matter what the standards that are set forth with snow plowing contracts, whether it's 4 inches or 5 inches, you have to have this or you're not going 10 to do it at all. This is an essential contract to be able to plow snow this winter. That's all he was trying to say. Robinson wanted to explain his questions. His questions are to ensure the residents receive this service that they clearly said they were looking for. He disagrees that the two aren't connected. The item came to Council labeled as snow plow for next year. To say that it's not connected with the budget on the snow plow is difficult. As a provider of service in the business world, he knows that if someone comes to him and wants a price, the price is often dependent upon the amount of work. Talking about reducing the amount of work, or the time, or the service provided, changes the response that he gives. He is just saying that if there is going to be a change in the expectation of delivery, he would think they should understand that expectation prior to approving the contract to do it. Those are his thoughts. President Toy said they are having a Budget Meeting tomorrow night and the Regular Meeting on the 21St of October. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 8. REQUEST TO APPROVE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE CITY OF LIVONIA FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION WORK ALONG SCHOOLCRAFT ROAD FROM THE STRUCTURE S01 OF 82122 OVER HIGHWAY 1-96 EASTERLY TO SCONE COURT: Engineering Division, re: with the City of Livonia participation estimated to be $141,700.00, or 22% of the total project cost. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, said Council has before them a contract with MDOT and the City of Livonia, to reconstruct a portion of Schoolcraft Service Drive that is in desperate need of repair. This requires the Clerk and the Mayor's signature. The participation costs involve 22% for the City, and 78% for the Federal. The project was estimated at $649,700.00. He is happy to announce that the bids were opened on October 2nd, and the bids came in at $491,000.00, well below the estimated cost. This cost did include construction engineering. The apparent low bidder is Florence Cement Company, Inc., 1970 Brinston Street, Troy, MI 48083, who has done previous work on 8 Mile, 1 275 and the City's previous maintenance programs. So we have a well qualified contractor who will come in hopefully next spring, if this is approved by Council. Hopefully they can get going — if the weather cooperates — early in April/May of 2010. They are looking for approval and they need a check made payable to MDOT in the amount of$156,700.00 for this project. 11 Pastor said that the original estimate was $649,700.00 and the 22% was $156,000.00. He asked shouldn't that be reduced since the bids came in $200,000.00 less. Zilincik said that this was written before the bids were opened up. Those amounts will be adjusted once the contract's get entered in. This was based on the preliminary estimate before the contracts were opened. Pastor asked if the City will actually be giving less money. Zilincik said in order to do the contract; they had to provide them with the estimated cost. Pastor asked if they will refund the difference once they get going. Zilincik said that is correct. Pastor said that he is afraid once the State gets the money, the City will never get it back. Godfroid-Marecki asked Zilincik if the City was still getting reimbursed for the roads from Federal Funds in a timely manner. Zilincik said he believes so. In the short time he has been here, they have kept track of the projects and they do keep getting funding back in a timely fashion. He said they keep very good records. He forgot to mention that a portion of the road on Hix Street, from Schoolcraft to Summers Road is included as part of this. A portion of that money is part of ACT 51 Funds that will go towards fixing a portion of the City roads as part of this contract. They lumped it all together to make it a smoother project. McCann offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 9. REQUEST TO APPROVE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE CITY OF LIVONIA FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF LYNDON STREET (HENRY RUFF STREET TO MIDDLEBELT ROAD): Engineering Division, re: with the City of Livonia participation estimated to be $160,600.00, or 19% of the total project cost. Todd Zilincik said that this is another contract before City Council between MDOT and the City of Livonia to take advantage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Livonia was one (1) of the fortunate 14 Cities to take advantage of the funding that was available 12 through the Federal Aid Committee. The project estimated cost was $835,600.00 of which the City's participation is required of $160,600.00 estimated, but will most likely be less. That breaks down to 81% Federal Funds and 19% of the City of Livonia. It also requires the execution between the Mayor and the Clerk's signature for this contract. He is happy to announce that this project also came under the estimated cost of $671,000.00. The contract apparent low bidder is Walter Toebe Construction Company, 29001 Wall St., Wixom, MI 48393. If approved, the construction would start sometime in June of 2010, and be completed probably early September. Pastor would like to know why they would start so late in June. Zilincik said that Roosevelt School is at the intersection there. They want to mobilize before school actually gets out, but get equipment set up and in place just prior to the school set up. It will most likely be at the transition end of the school year. Pastor asked if the City's is only responsible for anything over $675,000.00 or does a certain percentage have to be added in there. Zilincik said that he is correct. It is estimated at $100,000.00. The City will just pay for the construction engineering portion of the Contract. The road is built basically free, but the City would end up paying just the construction engineering estimated at $100,000.00. Godfroid-Marecki said that she is sure she has made it very well known on how she feels about this federal program. She doesn't agree with any of it. She asked if the City was just going to pay into this and not wait for the federal reimbursement. Zilincik answered the feds will pay for the roads entirely. The City just has to pay anything over $675,000.00. So basically the roads and all the hard core elements are free, the City just has to have to pay for someone to test it, inspect it and make sure it's in compliance. Godfroid-Marecki stated that the word "free" is used very loosely. Zilincik agreed. President Toy asked how the neighbors are notified when the construction will start. She asked if they get a little notice or does the City put up a sign. Zilincik said typically there will be a night meeting with both projects; we'll bring them in and let them know what's going on. They actually did do some gas relocations as part of that already. We want to make sure the 13 residents are informed, and know who to contact and address their concerns. Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 10. REQUEST TO ADVISE THE WAYNE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES (PERMIT SECTION) THAT THE CITY HAS APPROVED REVISED STORM SEWER PLANS AND WILL ACCEPT JURISDICTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE STORM SEWER WITHIN THE PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF SEVEN MILE ROAD, WEST OF NEWBURGH ROAD; AND REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ENGINEER TO EXECUTE A WAYNE COUNTY PERMIT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY: Engineering Division, re: for the Apple Crest Dental Building at 37500 Seven Mile Road, located in the S.E. '/4 of Section 6, with Apple Crest Properties, L.L.C. to reimburse the City for any such maintenance that may become necessary. (CR 103-07) Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, said this is just a housekeeping issue regarding storm water. Originally when the building was being built there was a change in the storm water clutching system. It went from one vendor to another. This caused them to go back to Wayne County to get their records in accordance with them to make sure they were okay with the proper storm water collection system that was being utilized. The City is actually trying to clean up the agreements, get them back to Wayne County and get them secured, and if necessary in the future, allow for maintenance if required. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 11. SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2009-08-08-06 submitted by API — Plan Design Build, L.L.C. in connection with a proposal to remodel the exterior of the commercial center (Plymouth Place Plaza) on property located on the north side of Plymouth Road, between Stark Road and Belden Court (34706-34730 Plymouth Road), in the Southwest '/4 of Section 28. Mark Taormina, City Planning Director, said this property is located on the NW corner of Plymouth Road and Priscilla, property zoned C-1, a local business. It's actually adjacent to the Alden Village Subdivision. What the petitioner wants to do is re-model the existing store front, as well as undertake a number of landscaping improvements. Taormina showed a photo of the property and discussed it. He said the petitioner would like to 14 tear off the metal awnings and replace the upper portion of the building with decorative EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) along with a decorative trim. A cornice element would be at the top of the building. Taormina showed a color rendering showing what the building would look like following the improvements. Columns would be added to accent the buildings and all the different offsets that are currently along the building. The Planning Commission worked with the petitioner to improve the plan over a series of meetings. The original plan was not quite as ornate as this. They have added lighting to the design scheme, which would be placed on the building as well as improvements on the lower portion. The building on the west side would be painted and on the east side to match the proposed color scheme. This is a unique property. It has 26 more feet of right-of-way then what most of the commercial properties have along Plymouth Road. For this reason the area between the sidewalk and the parking lot is actually public right-of-way. That area right now is maintained with a berm and a number of trees. What the petitioner would like to do is lower that berm, remove a number of those trees, re- landscape the front of the building, add PRDA (Plymouth Road Development Authority) piers and fencing to each of the entrance ways as well as update the sign. Taormina showed a profile view to give an idea of how they want to lower the berm between Plymouth Road and the parking lot. They would like to add some brick monument piers to the sign to have them match the design scheme along Plymouth Road as well as the fencing and piers that would be placed at each one of the monuments along with additional landscaping. Planning Commission is recommending approval of the plans as submitted as well as the PRDA. Godfroid-Marecki thanked the petitioner and said the improvements look great, but she wanted to note that Council received a notice that he owes the Building Inspection Department $75.00. Jimmy Isso, Petitioner, 6913 Carrington Circle W., West Bloomfield, MI, 48322, said that he did not receive any bill, but he will be more than happy to pay it immediately. He said that it's very hard these days to lease property, but he thinks with the money he is investing in the property, it will bring in new tenants. He will answer any questions. President Toy asked if he does a triple net lease on his buildings. Petitioner said no, he does not, but he gives all the tenants an average of a 20% discount and he moved them from a triple net to a gross lease. He said the small tenants, are scared of the triple net. He does not want to lose any more tenants. The day he took over Mr. Pita left. One main complaint his tenants have is the visibility. There is no visibility whatso- ever from the street because of the huge trees. So he wants to re- landscape everything. He owns another center in Lake Orion and he has 15 no vacancies and he works with the tenants to accommodate them. He really wants to bring in new business. He is very happy to own property in the City of Livonia. Robinson asked Taormina if he is satisfied with the quality of all the material the petitioner will be using. Taormina answered yes. He said they've looked at that very carefully during the planning. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. As there were no further questions or comments, Council President Toy adjourned the Study Session at 9:01 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2009. DATED: October 20, 2009 LINDA GRIMSBY, CITY CLERK